The 5 best go-to date makeup looks and how to create them

Valentine’s Day might seem like the most romantic day filled with chocolates and bouquets of flowers but between us, it can also be pretty stressful. On top of planning the perfect date, we women continue to do it all by dolling ourselves up.

So to alleviate some of that stress, we’ve come up with five makeup looks that are easy to nail. That way, you’ll be free to hunt down gifts for your significant other that won’t break the bank. Whether you’re meeting your Tinder date for the first time or heading out with your longtime partner, we’ve got you (and your face) covered.

1. Sweet

Photo: Instagram / ches makeup

A little sugar never hurt nobody, right? So our first look is a cute, romantic one that’ll be sure to leave your date cooing – and picking up the phone for date number two.

To achieve this simple look, break out a berry-hued palette, like the Eye-conic Multi-Finish Eyeshadow in Frivoluxe by Marc Jacobs Beauty, and your favourite pink lippie. Start by using a blender brush and buffing in a light pink eyeshadow into your crease before bringing the pigment down onto the rest of your lid. Then, using a denser brush, layer on a brighter pink shade to intensify the pink. And if you’re all about intensity, a flat shading brush will do the trick just fine. Just always remember to blend it all out. Harsh lines will only serve to distract your date from your dazzling company and we don’t want any of that. Finish off with a coat (or two) of your lipstick and you’re all set to go!

The star of this look will be your dewy, rosy complexion, so don’t forget to moisturise before applying, well, the rest of your face. Then, to achieve a radiant K-Beauty flush, sweep your blusher brush along the tops of your cheekbones, being sure to tap off any excess pigment. Instead of focusing all your pigment on your cheekbones however, bring your brush up, stopping just short of your eyebrow line, and down to the area below your under eye. Then, using a fan brush, lightly apply some highlighter on the high point of your cheekbones. And to avoid looking suspiciously shiny on your date, concentrate the pigment on just your cheekbones instead of brushing it too far up.

Now, on to the eyes. It’s entirely up to you on just how much you’d like to do. Feel free to use a natural-looking set of falsies (the 109 Demi-Black pair from Ardell is a good option), but you can never go wrong with some lengthening mascara. Then, tightline your upper lashline with a brown pencil liner and swipe on the finishing touch – a coat of lip gloss.

Ardell 109 Demi-Black Fashion lashes, $9, from Sephora

3. Vixen

Photo: Instagram / farisafrina

Feeling a little more glam? Don’t worry, we’ve got just the thing.

After filling in your brows and priming your eyelids, sweep a taupe eyeshadow shade all over your lids before deepening the crease with a warm brown shade. Then, focusing on just the outer-v, use a small dome brush and lightly buff in black eyeshadow. If that’s too intimidating, use a deep, chocolate shade instead. And of course, to glam up your look, pack a metallic eyeshadow onto the centre of your eyelid using a flat shader brush or your finger tips (the Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter and Glow Liquid Eye Shadow cannot be recommended enough) before blending the edges with your blending brush.

Beauty trends may have come and gone, but the classic red lip has withstood the test of time – and that says a lot. So while our previous look was all about the eyes, we’re bringing the attention to your lips for this fun look. (Be sure to use a scrub before applying lip balm to keep your lips looking plump.)

We’re keeping the eye look minimal, which is why all we’re going to do is sweep on a nude-peachy shade all over your lid before dipping back into the same eyeshadow pot and focusing the application to just the crease (and above the eyelid fold for those of you with double eyelids). Then, draw a thin line using a liquid eyeliner to thicken your lashline, and finish off your eyes with a coating of mascara.

As for your lips, start by lining your lips. Since we’re going with red lips, this step will prevent your lipstick from feathering over your lips or “bleeding”. Then, swipe a classic red shade like MAC’s Ruby Woo and walk out of your home feeling like the total babe that you are.

MAC Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo, $33, available at all MAC counters and shops

5. Vampy

Photo: Instagram / ponysmakeup

Singapore’s winter may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still rock that berry lipstick. In fact, pairing a deep lip colour with a warm eye look like blogger Shivani Balraj will help to lessen the intensity of your makeup so you won’t look too gothic on your date.

To create that eye look, start by carving out your crease with a taupe shade and blending that in. Next, apply a gold-shimmery shade all over your eyelid before taking a warm orange eyeshadow and focusing the application on the outer third of your eye. To smoothen out the look, pay extra attention to blending where the gold and orange shades meet. Then, deepen your outer-v using the same orange eyeshadow and using your finger, intensify the shimmer by packing on the shimmer shade once again.

And of course, swipe on your berry lipstick (NARS Audacious Lipstick in Liv applies well without drying out your lips) and you’re smooch-ready for your date.

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